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(NOTE: Alislam Team takes full responsibility for any errors or miscommunication
in this
Synopsis of the Friday Sermon)

Matrimonial Matters in General

Huzuraba delivered this Friday Sermon from France. Huzur’saba discourse
was based on the topic of matrimonial matters in general and marriage of widows
and girls of disadvantaged background in particular. Citing verse 33 of Surah
Al Nur (24:33) Huzuraba admonished against the censorial outlook
of some as regards the marriage of widows and explained that it was an Islamic
viewpoint, a Quranic
injunction and that it needed to be adhered to. As regards the mention of marriage
of ‘slaves’ in the verse, Huzuraba referred to the modern
day ‘opposite
number’ of the disadvantaged and said that while the Jama’at helps
out in such instances lack of finances should not be used as an excuse to avoid
marriage. Huzuraba said often after marriage the young man develops
a sense of responsibility and endeavours to provide for the family and with
Allah’s
grace situation improves.

As regards widows, Huzuraba said Muslim society should reject the false customs
that have crept into our way of life that hinder a widow to remarry. Indeed
in Islam a widow does not need anyone’s approval to get married, if her
betrothal is good she has been given the right to go ahead. Huzuraba referred
to verse 235 of Surah A Baqarah (2:235) for this.

With reference to Ahadith Huzuraba explained the Holy Prophet’s counsel
of ‘not to delay when it is time for
Salat, or when a funeral is ready or when a compatible match is found for a
widow.’ He also enjoined that a widow’s right supersedes that of
her Wali (guardian) in the matter of marriage.

The Holy Prophet enjoined
that if a man with good morals and piety comes with a marriage proposal, his
offer should be accepted,
he admonished that the four aspects a woman is married for are her wealth,
her lineage, her beauty and her piety and that one ought to give preference
to her piety. Huzuraba remarked that those who have physical appearance
as a criterion should pre-determine through photographs whether they wish to
proceed
or not with a match and should avoid humiliating the girls by visiting and
rejecting them on the grounds of appearance. Huzuraba reiterated
that if they gave preference to piety they would be the recipients of the Holy
Prophet’s prayers.

Huzuraba touched upon the practice of some parents of delaying the marriage
of their off spring in order to live off their earnings. He cautioned against
delaying a daughter’s marriage for her earnings and the practice of keeping
her and the son-in-law under one’s roof. Huzuraba instructed the Ansar,
Khuddam and Lajna to counsel their respective members against such erroneous
practices. Huzuraba also expounded the misinterpretation and misuse by some of
the hadith that allows prospective betrotheds to see each other in the presence
of the family. He also admonished against those who are at the other extreme
and make it a matter of honour for the young man and woman to be in each other’s
presence.

Huzuraba said it is the responsibility of the entire society to pay attention
to the marriage of those who are marriageable. With reference to the writings
of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) Huzuraba explained the significance
of arranging marriages within the Community. He said it promotes unity and
ensures that the next generation is raised in a pious environment.

Huzuraba urged all to co-operate with the ‘rishta nata’ department
within the administrative system of the Community. In conclusion Huzuraba prayed
that may we be enabled to arrange marriages of those who are orphaned and of
widows in accordance with the Quranic injunction and may Allah alleviate the
anxiety of those parents of marriageable girls who are anxious.